Pricing & Business
[auto repair] How do you quote labor on older cars with seized bolts?
As a repair shop owner, I've encountered my fair share of older cars with seized bolts, and quoting labor for these jobs can be tricky. Recently, I had a customer bring in a classic Chevy that needed a new exhaust system, but every bolt was rusted and seized solid. I spent almost an extra hour just trying to free them up with penetrating oil and heat. How do you guys handle quoting for these situations? Do you have a standard markup on the estimated labor, or do you charge hourly for the extra time spent? I want to be fair to my customers while still making sure I cover the additional time and effort. Do you factor in the potential for seized bolts into your initial quote, or do you wait until you start the job to inform the customer? I'd love to hear any strategies you might have developed for these stubborn repairs!
2 Answers
I definitely feel your pain with those older cars! What I usually do is add a 'rust and corrosion' clause to my quotes. I explain to customers that some jobs may take longer due to factors like seized bolts and that I charge a set hourly rate for anything beyond my initial estimate. I also use a software like Shop-Ware, which allows me to easily document the time spent on these extra tasks, so I can show the customer exactly what went into the repair if needed. It helps maintain transparency and builds trust. For parts, I always keep a good supply of penetrating oil and impact sockets on hand. Sometimes, if I'm not sure how badly seized they are, I'll quote higher on the labor just in case. It might scare a few customers off, but most of them appreciate the honesty about the potential for additional work.
When I quote jobs with older cars, I usually try to gauge how likely it is that bolts will be seized based on the car's condition. For classic cars, I often add a conservative estimate to the initial quote, maybe 20% more labor time. I communicate that to the customer upfront, so they know there could be additional costs if things don't go smoothly. Additionally, I've found that having a good relationship with my parts vendors helps. If I need to order specialty tools or replacement bolts, I can often get them faster, which helps me stick to my time estimates. But I always make sure the customer is aware that unforeseen issues can arise, especially with older vehicles.